"What should a brother be like, then? Should he just let his own fiancée steal his college acceptance letter and run off with his brother without saying a word?"
"Or should he pretend to be deaf and blind when he knows perfectly well that his brother and his wife have been carrying on behind his back?"
I couldn't hold back any longer. Every grievance I'd bottled up came pouring out. But Percival's eyes went wide, tears streaming down his face.
"Duane, I know you hate me, but you can't slander me like this!"
"There's nothing between me and Norma—nothing! If you don't believe me, I'll prove my innocence with my life!"
He pulled out a bottle of pesticide, shoved it into my hands, and forced my grip toward his mouth, as if he truly intended to die to defend his honor.
But the moment his fingers closed around mine, he leaned in close to my ear. His voice dropped to a whisper only I could hear.
"Brother, you're so pathetic. Both women you've loved only ever wanted me. Tell me—if I drink this today, do you think Norma will send you to prison?"
My pupils dilated. I never imagined Percival's mind could be this twisted.
I tried to wrench my hand free, but Norma rushed over and yanked Percival away from me. Her glare could have cut glass.
"Duane Fox! Enough! Do you have to drive him to death before you're satisfied? How can any man be as vicious as you?"
"Forcing your own brother to drink pesticide—why don't you drink it instead?"
In her fury, Norma seized my jaw, wrenched it open, and poured the pesticide down my throat.
It was bitter—so bitter. I tried to spit it out, but she pinned me to the ground, her foot grinding into my burns. I couldn't move.
By the time the entire bottle had been forced down my throat, my face had gone white as paper. My throat felt like it was being sliced open from the inside. But she had already turned away to comfort Percival.
"It's okay now, Percival. No one's going to hurt you anymore."
Percival nestled against her, a smug smile playing at the corner of his lips. Then he spat out a few mouthfuls of white foam and collapsed.
The acting was so clumsy that anyone could see through it. But Norma didn't hesitate. She scooped him up and rushed toward the nearest clinic.
She didn't even glance back at my weak cries for help.
All I could do was watch as I vomited a mouthful of blood—then more, and more, gushing out like a fountain.
A kind stranger passing by carried me to the clinic.
The doctor said I only had one kidney. My metabolism was compromised. I needed IV treatment immediately to flush out the toxins.
But Norma and Percival had ended up at the same clinic.
Percival clutched his throat, wailing in pain.
"Norma, my stomach hurts so bad. Am I going to die?"
"Get the doctor—save me! I don't want our baby to be born without a father!"
Panic flooded Norma's face. She intercepted the doctor who was about to operate on me.
"Doctor, he's been poisoned. He only has one kidney—I'm afraid he's in danger. Please operate on him first!"
The doctor looked at me uncertainly. "But we have another patient here. He also only has one kidney..."
Norma barely spared me a glance before making her decision.
"I know him. He's my husband. He's fine—he's faking it."
"But Percival actually drank pesticide. If you don't operate now, he'll die!"
She held up our wedding photo. Between the picture and her words, the doctor was convinced.
They abandoned me and wheeled Percival into the operating room.
I was left behind, vomiting more and more blood. Terrified, I grabbed Norma's hand and begged her to bring the doctor back.
"Please—I only have one kidney. My body can't filter out that much poison..."
Norma wrenched her hand free. The look she gave me was the look you'd give your worst enemy.
